Lip cream applicator

ABSTRACT

In an applicator for a decoration lip cream or lip-care cream or the like of comparatively soft plastic material for being mounted on a stem or a stem connection attachment, it is provided, for defined and efficient application accompanied with accurate contouring, that the applicator has a surface comprising a plurality of ribs and grooves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an applicator for liquid, viscous orcreamy substances for decoration, cure or lip-care purposes or the likeof comparatively soft plastic material for being mounted on a stem or astem connection attachment.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, lip cosmetics are predominantly applied by meansof a so-called lipstick, the cosmetic being of comparatively solid,dimensionally stable consistency and the molded part formed by thecosmetic being screwed out of a protective sleeve for use and screweddown again for storing.

[0005] For application of lip cosmetics of soft and even liquidconsistency, it has been known to keep the cosmetics in a container ofthe type of a bottle, similarly to nail varnish, and to provide a softplastic applicator with a stem on the inside of a screw cap that closesthe container.

[0006] Finally, it has also been known to pick up lip cosmetics manuallyby dipping a finger into a comparatively wide opening and then applyingthem to the lips. This will give a user a direct sensation ofapplication, but is accompanied with the drawback that, in the process,the user cannot observe the application to her lips because her fingerwill largely obstruct the user's view in a mirror; and that the user'sfinger will become stained, with more-over hygienic problems occurringwhen germs are on the finger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is an object of the invention to embody an applicator for adecoration or lip-care cream or comparable cosmetic that will ensuredefined and efficient application accompanied with accurate contouring.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is attained by aplurality of grooves and ribs being provided on the surface of theapplicator. They ensure defined pick-up of sufficient quantities ofcosmetics from a container, and transfer as well as defined andcontrolled delivery to the lips.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the applicator is provided to have anapproximately almond-shaped basic form.

[0010] The ribs and grooves can be substantially parallel to oneanother, in particular linear.

[0011] The applicator can be joined to the stem or a stem attachment,respectively, by way of a surface that inclines towards the longitudinalaxis, creating applicator surfaces of varying extension.

[0012] In keeping with another embodiment, the applicator is provided tohave a concave application surface.

[0013] In this case, the ribs and grooves can form substantially closedlines that are in particular approximately oval and congruent of eachother.

[0014] In this embodiment, the application surface preferably extends atan angle to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, optimally fittingthe contour of lips when the stem of the applicator is held withoutconstraint.

[0015] Instead of a stem, the applicator can comprise a stem attachmentwhich can be connected to an applicator handle by means of lockingengagement.

[0016] The width of the ribs and grooves, respectively, is in the rangeof 0.1 to 5 mm, preferably approximately 1.5 mm. The depth can amount tofor example 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

[0017] Details of the invention will become apparent from the ensuingdescription of two preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with thedrawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of theapplicator according to the invention, comprising a stem connectionattachment;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a front elevation;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a view from the side;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a view displaced by 90° as compared to the view of FIG.3;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a partially sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5; and

[0024]FIG. 7 is a view from above of the embodiment according to FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] As seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, an applicator 1 according to theinvention consists of soft plastic material (trade name Santoprene). Ithas an almond-shaped basic form and is provided with a stem connectionattachment 2 which includes a locking groove 3 for snap-in engagementwith a handle.

[0026] At its front end, the applicator 1 has an approximately conicaltip 4.

[0027] As seen in particular from FIG. 3, the central longitudinal axis6 of the applicator 1, and consequently the surface of the applicator,comprises a downward convexity.

[0028] The surface of the applicator 1 is provided with a plurality ofribs 7 and grooves 8 which encircle the basic body straightly and inparallel, as seen in FIG. 4.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, the width B of the ribs is 0.3 mmand the depth T is 0.2 mm.

[0030] Cross-sectionally, the ribs 7 and the grooves 8 are approximatelyrectangular.

[0031] The embodiment, seen in FIGS. 5 to 7, of an applicator 1′according to the invention, is also provided with a stem attachment 2″and has a spherical basic shape, a concave application surface 9′extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis 5′ at the front end; theconcave application surface 9′ is provided with a plurality of ribs 7′and grooves 8′ which, as seen in FIG. 6, run concentrically of eachother across the application surface 9′.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, the width B′ and the depth T′ of thegrooves 8′ are approximately 0.4 mm, the cross-sectional configurationbeing corrugated.

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator (1, 1′) for decoration lip cream or lip-care cream orthe like of comparatively soft plastic material for being mounted on astem or a stem attachment (2, 2′), wherein it has a surface comprising aplurality of ribs (7, 7′) and grooves (8, 8′).
 2. An applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein it has an approximately almond-shapedbasic form.
 3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein the ribs (7)and grooves (8) are substantially parallel to each other.
 4. Anapplicator according to claim 2, wherein the ribs (7) and grooves (8)are substantially linear.
 5. An applicator according to claim 2, whereinit is connected to the stem or to the stem attachment (2) by a surface(6) that extends at an angle to a longitudinal axis (5) of theapplicator (1).
 6. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein itcomprises a concave application surface (9′).
 7. An applicator accordingto claim 1, wherein the ribs (7′) and grooves (8′) form substantiallyclosed lines that are in particular approximately oval and congruent ofeach other.
 8. An applicator according to claim 6, wherein theapplication surface (9′) extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis(5′) of the applicator (1′).
 9. An applicator according to claim 1,wherein the stem attachment (2, 2′) comprises a locking portion with alocking groove (3, 3′) for locking engagement with a handle of theapplicator (1, 1′).
 10. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein thewidth of the ribs (7, 7′) and grooves (8, 8′) amounts to 0.1 to 5 mm,preferably approximately 1.5 mm.
 11. An applicator according to claim 1,wherein the ribs (7, 7′) and grooves (8, 8′) have an approximatelyrectangular or corrugated cross-sectional shape.
 12. An applicatoraccording to claim 1, wherein a free end of the applicator (1, 1′)includes an approximately conical tip.